"Tax Investigation Favor" Former Tax Official Also Sentenced to Prison in Appeal Trial

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A former tax official who received hundreds of millions of won under the pretext of helping to avoid tax audits was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

The Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Yoo Hyo-young) dismissed the defendant A (53)'s appeal on the 5th, who was indicted on charges including fraud, citing improper sentencing.

The court upheld the original sentence of 2 years and 6 months imprisonment and an order to confiscate 135 million won.

A was tried on charges of embezzling a total of 185 million won from two businessmen from June 2019 to March 2020, after retiring as a tax official, under the pretext of settling tax audits or resolving tax arrears.

One of the businessmen was investigated for issuing false tax invoices to evade taxes, and the tax authorities checked related matters, which led to such a request.

It was reported that one of them was acquainted with A as a friend.

A is also accused of using most of the illicit gains for illegal gambling.

The court stated, "There have been no significant changes in circumstances since the first trial, and considering other sentencing factors, the original sentence does not seem excessive."